As far back as I can remember my family has been involved in motorcycling.
I thought I'd add a bit of recollection of those races and racers of the past that I've been around.
Starting with dirtbikes. I've written another section on the site covering Vintage Motocross and my years at Laguna and Daytona.
The thing that I find interesting is the life cycle of motorcycle racers compared to car racers who from the beginning died on a regular basis.
When you consider how exposed a motorcycle racer is, be it dirt or asphalt you would think the opposite to be true.
Motorcycle racers tend to survive. Where car racers were dying, motorcycle racers seemed to suffer paralizing injuries or career ending injuries. Some have not been so lucky.
Through the years I have been lucky enough to see first hand the Daytona 200, AMA, WSB, GP and Moto Gp at Laguna Seca, and other AMA races at motocross and dirt tracks around the USA.
During that time I witnessed some incredible racing and riding by one rider or another.
At the top of my list in two wheeled racing are a handful of riders who combined skill and tenacity to achieve their goal of winning.
In the dirt, Mike Hartwig (my all time favorite rider), Marty Smith, Bob Hannah, Roger DeCoster five time 500cc World Champion and four time Trans Am Champion,, Joel Robert six time 250cc World Champion, Brad Lackey, Jim Pomeroy, Rick Johnson, David Bailey, Jeremy McGrath, Doug Henry (my second favorite rider), Ricky Carmicheal, James Stewart and Ryan Villapoto (another of my favorite riders and I'm hopeful he can challenge Stewart in the future).
I've seen almost everyone of the great motocrossers at one time or another. My youth was spent traveling with my family to many AMA Trans AM and Inter AM races. We also attended a lot of the AMA Nationals and dirt track events. It is so interesting to me having come from the beginnings of dirt bikes to see where they have gone.
When the Honda Elsinore came out and Marty Smith just crushed everyone. It was the beginning of a new era of motorcycles and motocross has gone on an uphill scale since. The bikes and the riders continue to get better and better and the past seems so long ago.
Bottom line is that many of the past champions could in their youth run with todays top riders given the quality of todays motorcycles. .
Dirt Track, Bubba Shobert (I was at Laguna and as close to his career ending crash as one could be. Bubba was an awesome rider who deserved more than Kevin Magee's useless burnout that lead to Shoberts crash), Ricky Graham ( I saw Rickey a few times and he may have been the best dirt tracker ever. When he was on, he was just a joy to watch. This was a guy who could ride on the limit and make it look easy).
Enduro, Hare Scrambles, David Knight (possibly the best dirtbike rider ever!) I am ever amazed at the riding skill this guy shows. ISDT winner, World Enduro Champion and two time Red Bull Last Man Standing winner and one of only two finishers of the race in 2006.
Road Racing, Daijiro Kato (my all time favorite road racer), Scott Russell (I have been on hand for many of Scott's Daytona victories none more impressive than his 1995 crash and dash win) Nori Haga, Valentino Rossi, Colin Edwards, Jimmy Filice, Kevin Schwantz (I was at Kevin's first race with Yosh at Laguna Seca in 1985), Eddie Lawson, Randy Mamola, Nicky Hayden (I was on hand for Nickys Daytona 200 win), Kenny Roberts (I was on hand for the Kings last run at Laguna in 1985) , Freddie Spencer, Wayne Rainey (Watching Wayne at Laguna in his GP years was a real treat and I rate Wayne way up on the list of great champions), David Jefferies (another of my favorites. Jefferies was the Mansell of road racing. Just an amazing rider to the end), and how can you not include Joey Dunlop and Mike Hailwood.
Links to motorcycle racing information below
List of 500cc World Championship road racers
List of World Superbike riders
